Super Mario Bros. + Portal = Mari0

It’s not the first time we’ve seen some sort of crazy crossover with Mario and another beloved franchise, but this one is certainly the most entertaining. Mari0 takes the original Super Mario Bros. and throws Portal in there for good measure, allowing the Italian plumber to warp in a not so familiar way. That's the basis of Mari0.

Other features of the game includes a four-player co-op mode, a level editor, and a 33 different hats for the title character to wear. Updates to the game have also been promised in the form of downloadable mappacks, for when you get bored of the main campaign. Best of all, updates will be offered gratis. Mari0 is available for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux, and is can be downloaded right this very second over at the creator's website.

We quickly went hands-on with the game, and came away with a grin on our face. It’s a little strange getting used to the controls, especially if you don’t have a USB controller to hand, but it works as advertised. Moving around is simple enough thanks to the standard WASD configuration, space handles jump duties, and the left/right mouse buttons serve as the blue/orange portal triggers.

Once you’re familiar with the controls, you play the same Mario levels as the original game, but with the addition of the Portal gun. That’s really how simple it is, and it adds an odd dynamic to an otherwise recognizable game - you get to play around and experiment with different portal placements, either to navigate your way around the terrain, or to dispatch enemies. The Hammer Brothers later on will certainly be easier to deal with, in any event. If you want to get an idea of exactly what you can get up to, check the embedded video.